Two men injured when 114-pound dog attacks in Machias home

MACHIAS, Maine — Two adults were seriously injured early Thursday morning when they were bitten by a dog while visiting a friend at a home on Water Street.

The dog, a 114-pound mixed breed, had been brought to the home only the night before when friends gave it to the homeowner, Machias Police Chief Grady Dwelley said.

“It had only been in the home for six hours,” Dwelley said. “As far as we can tell, this was a completely unprovoked attack.”

Dwelley said the homeowner, Brittany Wood, was in a bedroom with a small child about 3 a.m. when the incident happened. “At no time was the child in danger,” Dwelley said.

The dog apparently attacked and started biting the two house guests, both 23-year-old men, in the living area of the mobile home, the chief said. Despite their injuries, the victims were able to secure the dog in another bedroom.

Both men were taken to Down East Community Hospital in Machias for treatment. Dwelley said one person was bitten on the hip and stomach and the other in the face. The facial injuries likely will require reconstructive surgery, Dwelley said.

The dog, which Dwelley said appeared to be a Shar-Pei and bull mastiff mix, was sedated and taken to a local veterinarian. Dwelley said he was unable to determine from the previous owners whether the dog was up to date on its rabies vaccinations. Thus the dog was euthanized and tissue samples were sent to the Public Health Laboratory in Augusta to be tested.

He said if the results are positive, the victims will have to undergo extensive medical treatment.